The Perks of Living in the Central United States

For years, metro areas in Florida dominate the fastest-growing spots on the best places to live list, as low tax rates and good weather continue to attract people to the coastal state. But metro areas in the center of the country have seen some of the greatest population in recent years. It's no surprise that Austin, Texas, and Denver continue to attract many new residents since they both have strong job markets, but maybe more unexpectedly, Nashville, Tennessee; Boise, Idaho; and Fayetteville, Arkansas, all grew by more than 6 percent during the five-year period due to net migration alone. Below are the perks of living in the central United States

Housing

Living the American dream means being financially comfortable and living in a place you love — and can afford. In this turbocharged economy, more people are looking to relocate nationwide in search of better job opportunities, lower tax havens and places that offer their families a better quality of life. Chicago real estate isn’t terribly expensive and Chicago has plenty of free attractions to check out. How about a walk along the shore of Lake Michigan, a picnic in Millennium Park or a visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo? When you get tired you can check out the campus of the University of Chicago or take a stroll through Wicker Park.


Festivals

People throughout the United States like summer and they also like music, which results in some of the nation’s best music festivals. Outdoor music festivals such as Chicago’s Lollapalooza and Pitchfork, Michigan’s Faster Horses three-day country music affair and Milwaukee’s Summerfest, take the cake for some of the best live music around. 


Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are the largest fresh water system on Earth and just our luck, central states up North such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana all get to enjoy. Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario span 750 miles from east to west, including some of the best beaches and swimming one could ask for!


Food

Forget your diet. Deep dish pizza, cheese curds and puppy chow are just a few delicacies you’re sure to spot on menus throughout the central US. Famous for its quirky food, the region offers an assortment of unique grub at annual state fairs as well. According to the Chicago Tribune, popular (and wacky) state fair treats include deep fried ribs, meat parfaits, deep fried buckeyes, s’mores milkshakes, deep fried corn on the cob and spaghetti on a stick.


Summer

Although the winters in the central US are somewhat bitter, the summer weather is glorious. If you plan to move to this part of the country, you’re going to need to invest in a heavy duty winter coat. Fortunately, once temperatures begin to climb and winter fades, residents are able to enjoy a number of activities outdoors. During the summertime, you’re sure to spot locals basking in the sun at one of Michigan’s lakeside beaches, kayaking through the Chicago River, swimming in Minnesota’s many lakes, splashing around at a Wisconsin waterpark and hiking through one of the area’s many state parks.